Nationals select Rice's Rendon with sixth pick in draft

Short wait well worth itRice's Rendon makes small drop before going to Nationals with No. 6 pick

JOSEPH DUARTE, Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Monday, June 6, 2011

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Rice infielder Anthony Rendon is hugged by his father Rene next to his mother Bridget (right) and girlfriend Amanda Rodriguez (left) after Rendon was selected sixth in the first round of the MLB draft by the Washington Nationals on Monday during a draft watch party at Rice Stadium. less

Rice infielder Anthony Rendon is hugged by his father Rene next to his mother Bridget (right) and girlfriend Amanda Rodriguez (left) after Rendon was selected sixth in the first round of the MLB draft by the ... more

Minutes later, as a roomful of family, friends and teammates waited, Rendon lowered his head and smiled before the announcement the Washington Nationals had selected him with the sixth overall pick.

“There was a three-second delay. I heard it before anybody else,” said Rendon, who was wearing an earpiece and microphone as part of Major League Baseball’s draft coverage. “I didn’t want to start clapping and give it away. I was very excited.”

Once his name was called, Rendon turned to hug his father, Rene, and mother, Bridget, and could finally relax after weeks of buildup where he would be selected.

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“My main goal was to improve my draft stock,” said Rendon, who was drafted in the 27th round out of Lamar High School by the Atlanta Braves in 2008. “Anything before the 27th round is a plus for me.”

As a junior, Rendon entered this season among the frontrunners to be the No. 1 pick after showing his power at the plate with career-highs in batting (.394), home runs (26) and RBIs (85) to win the Howser Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate player last year. But a muscle strain in his right (throwing) shoulder suffered before the start of the season put a crimp in Rendon’s plans. He was limited to designated hitter for most of the season, a role he admits never getting fully comfortable, and saw a statistical drop-off with a .327 average, six home runs and 37 RBIs. Opposing teams regularly did not pitch to Rendon, who led Division I with 80 walks.

Rendon, drafted on the day he turned 21, released his medical records – which also included information about two ankle surgeries – to all 30 major league teams in the week leading up to the draft.

“I don’t have anything to hide,” Rendon said of any concerns about his shoulder.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said the team “painstakingly” evaluated Rendon’s medical records and cleared him.

Even though the shoulder may have scared off some teams, Rendon said he entered the draft with no preference where he was selected.

“It didn’t matter to me if I went 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,13th or 30th, “ he said. “I’m just glad they gave me an opportunity and took a chance.”

The Nationals said Rendon will begin his career at Class A as a third baseman, a position currently held by former first-round pick Ryan Zimmerman.

“My choice?” Rendon said. “I just want to be in the lineup. If I’m on that lineup card I’m happy.”

Rendon refused to discuss how he thinks contract negotiations will go with the Nationals or his presumed agent Scott Boras, who has been serving in an adviser role.

“I’m not talking about business,” he said. “That’s not on my mind right now.”

He had more immediate duties, like cutting his birthday cake.

“We’re just happy he has the opportunity to play in the major leagues,” Rene Rendon said. “It’s been his long-term dream. Ever since he was 3½ we’ve been out there playing. And he’s always loved it.”